Due next year, the new drama series is about a town where there has never been a murder ... until now.

Sky Atlantic HD today announces its most ambitious drama commission to date, "Fortitude," a 13-part drama co-production with US network Starz. "Fortitude" is a Fifty Fathoms / Tiger Aspect production, exclusively for Sky Atlantic in the UK and Starz in the USA. The drama is the first co-production between Sky and Starz, and forms part of Sky's continued investment in original content.

The series is written by Simon Donald ("Low Winter Sun") and will be executive produced by Anne Mensah and Madonna Baptiste for Sky, Patrick Spence and Simon Donald for Fifty Fathoms and Tiger Aspect and Colin Callender for Starz. The series was commissioned by Anne Mensah for Sky Atlantic HD.

"Fortitude" is a place like nowhere else. Although surrounded by the savage beauty of the Arctic landscape, Fortitude is one of the safest towns on earth. There has never been a violent crime here. Until now.

In such a close-knit community a murder touches everyone and the unsettling horror of this crime threatens the future of the town itself.

Sheriff Dan Anderssen is the local head of police. Dan leads a world class search and rescue team but now finds himself investigating the brutal and shocking murder of a British research scientist. And he is forced to work alongside DCI Milton Caldwell, a British detective who's just flown into Fortitude. As the search for the killer proceeds and the list of suspects grows, each cop finds compelling reasons to mistrust the other.

And as the endless summer nights give way once more to the Arctic darkness this apparently idyllic community struggles to make sense of the murderous terror that's been let loose in its heart.

"Fortitude" joins a growing slate of original UK drama commissions for Sky Atlantic HD, which began with critically acclaimed miniseries "Hit & Miss" and recent detective thriller, "Falcón." Following these, we have recently announced "Fleming" (working title) and "The Tunnel." The commission is part of Sky's commitment to increase investment in original British content by 50%, and by 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programs across its portfolio of channels.

About "Fortitude," Anne Mensah, Sky's Head of Drama, said, "'Fortitude' is a dark and adult drama, which will sit perfectly alongside the wealth of high-end content that our customers have come to expect on Sky Atlantic. I'm thrilled to be teaming up with Starz on this, our most ambitious drama to date." Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Original Programming at Starz, said, "'Fortitude' is another exciting project with Colin Callender that we are thrilled to collaborate with Sky Atlantic on to bring to the United States. Starz is known for larger than life, cinematic programming and we expect nothing less from this unique new series."

Patrick Spence, executive producer for Fifty Fathoms, said, "I have long dreamed of an opportunity like this — to make a show that is as ambitious as it is unique, and to do so with such unstinting and fearless backing. Simon and I are very lucky men indeed."

Executive producer and lead writer, Simon Donald added, "Since Patrick and I pitched this project to Sky we've had nothing but full-throated, whole-hearted encouragement. Normally by now the brakes have been applied. This time they're telling us the shackles are off."

Colin Callender, executive producer for Starz commented, "'Fortitude' brings together a remarkably talented writing and producing team in Simon and Patrick. The series is a bold combination of genres and reflects Sky's and Starz's shared commitment to groundbreaking character based quality original drama. I am delighted to be part of this exciting project."

"Fortitude" will be shot on location later in 2013 and will transmit on Sky Atlantic HD in the UK and Starz in the USA in 2014. Casting will be announced in due course.